Godliness and governance in Tudor Colchester
By: Laquita M. Higgs.
Series: Studies in medieval and early modern civilization
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Ann Arbor
Language: eng
Number of pages: 434
Subjects: Colchester (England) -- Politics and government.; Great Britain -- History -- Tudors, 1485-1603.; Colchester (England) -- Church history.
Other titles: Godliness & governance in Tudor Colchester
Description: In Godliness and Governance in Tudor Colchester, Laquita M. Higgs traces the governance and the religion of that town. Though traditional piety held sway early in the Tudor era, there was a strong undercurrent of hereticism, even among town leaders. Such sympathy helps explain Colchester's embrace of Henry VIII's religious reforms. Town governors also found it advantageous to cooperate with the local nobleman, the earl of Oxford, and with their own Thomas Audley who helped the King shape the reformation.

Queen Mary's attempts to root out Protestantism strengthened Colchester's commitment to reform. Under Elizabeth, reformers gradually took over governance of the borough and began to shape a godly society, instituting a town preacher despite fierce opposition.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 407-422) and index.